Proposed Action

NGP is proposing a geothermal development project which includes the construction and operation of power generation facilities, geothermal fluid production and injection well pads and wells, access roads, geothermal fluid pipelines, groundwater production wells, an electrical transmission line and switching station, and support facilities.

NGP submitted an application (N-82701) and Plan of Development (PoD) to the BLM Winnemucca Field Office (WFO), for approval of a right-of-way (ROW) for those portions of the transmission line located on public lands managed by the BLM. SPPCo submitted an application (N-83479) to the BLM WFO for approval of a ROW for the electrical switching station to be built at the point of interconnection of the NGP transmission line with the existing SPPCo transmission line.

An Operations Plan was submitted for approval to drill and test geothermal wells proposed on public land (within federal geothermal lease NVN-58196) which would be used for the project. A Utilization Plan was submitted for approval of utilization facilities proposed on public land to be used for the project. Geothermal Drilling Permits (GDPs) will be submitted for downhole casing and cementing engineering approval for each well as the project progresses.

"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseAny areas containing cultural resources of significance would be avoided, or the

potential for impacts mitigated in a manner acceptable to the BLM Archaeologist. NGP
employees, contractors, and suppliers would be reminded that all cultural resources are
protected and if uncovered shall be left in place and reported to the NGP representative

"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseTo prevent the spread of invasive, nonnative species, vehicles and equipment would be

power washed, including body and undercarriage, prior to entering public lands

managed by the BLM.

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For a period of three years following the commencement of construction, project sites

shall be inventoried by the lessee for the presence of invasive, nonnative species.
Inventory data shall be reported to the BLM WFO project Lead within one week of
receipt by the lessee. The area shall be treated with BLM certified pesticides following
BLM approval of a pesticide use proposal if species are present.

Following the three year period, periodic inventory for the presence of invasive nonnative

species would be performed at project sites, with treatment occurring as necessary. The
periodic inventory and treatment would occur for as long as the lessee is present at the
site.

All trucks (excluding pick-up trucks) and construction equipment should be washed to

remove soil and plant parts. A central washing facility would be provided for this purpose
at a location either in Winnemucca or at a facility approved by the authorized officer. The
washing station should not be placed within 150 feet of any body of water or ditch line,
nor where the wash water can flow downslope.

"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseInitial ground disturbing activities would not be conducted during the migratory bird

nesting season (March through July) unless necessary, and then only after inventories
for migratory birds and nests were conducted by a qualified biologist acceptable to the
BLM. This survey would be conducted to identify either breeding adult birds or nest sites
within the specific areas to be disturbed. If active nests are present within these areas to
be disturbed, NGP would coordinate with the authorized officer to develop appropriate
protection measures for these sites, which may include avoidance, construction

"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

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Absorbent pads or sheets would be placed under likely spill sources.

The hazardous material spill and disposal contingency plan will be submitted to and

approved by BLM and made readily available onsite before operations begin.

The length of time which geothermal fluid, storm water runoff or other liquids are

temporarily stored in any reserve pit would be minimized. Use of reserve pits is limited to
the active drilling and testing operations. Fluids from flow testing would only be produced
in accordance with permits and plans. The larger reserve pit constructed adjacent to
well 26A-14 would be treated with bentonite to minimize the infiltration of geothermal
fluids into the shallow ground water aquifer. The fluid level in the larger reserve pit would
be monitored daily during initial testing to verify the treatment. The results of the
monitoring would be reported to the BLM.

"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

ClosePrior to drilling any new temporary water wells, all necessary permits will be obtained

from the State Water Engineer at the Division of Water Resources and forwarded to the
BLM Winnemucca Field Office.

Geothermal fluids would not be discharged to the ground under normal operating
conditions. Accidental discharges of geothermal fluids are unlikely because of frequent
inspections, ultrasonic testing of the pipeline, flow and pressure monitoring and well

pump and pipeline valve shutdown features.

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The quality of selected ground water wells would continue to be monitored to determine

if the injection of geothermal fluids may be impacting the levels of geothermal fluid components in the produced waters. Ground water wells to be monitored would include
some of those within the unit area with high total dissolved solids, as well as other
existing or new ground water wells close to the geothermal operations area. Final design
and implementation of the ground water quality monitoring program would occur before
the commencement of geothermal production and injection operations.

In the case negative affects (increasing levels of geothermal fluid components) are

recorded by the monitoring program, NGP would work with the BLM, NDOM, NDEP and
the Nevada State Water Engineer to adjust geothermal fluid production or injection to
remove or minimize negative affects to ground water wells or the geothermal resource.

NGP would also monitor produced geothermal fluids, and within 30 days of NGP’s

receipt of produced water analytical laboratory result(s), the BLM would be provided with
a copy of the laboratory result(s). A map or written description of the sample collection
point(s) would accompany the result(s).

"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseCut and fill activities have been minimized through the selection of the power plant site

and pipeline routes. Off-site storm water would be intercepted in ditches and channeled
to energy dissipaters as necessary to minimize erosion around the power plant. To
minimize erosion from storm water runoff, access roads would be maintained consistent
with the best management practices for road construction applicable to development
roads. BLM best management practices for storm water would be followed, as

"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

ClosePrior to drilling any new temporary water wells, all necessary permits will be obtained

from the State Water Engineer at the Division of Water Resources and forwarded to the

BLM Winnemucca Field Office.

CloseThe depth to ground water in selected ground water wells would continue to be

monitored to determine if the shallow ground water production program may be lowering
the groundwater table. Ground water wells to be monitored would include existing or
new ground water wells both close to and farther away from the geothermal operations
area. Final design and implementation of the ground water level monitoring program
would occur before the commencement of geothermal production and injection

"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseAll construction and operating equipment would be equipped with applicable exhaust

spark arresters. Fire extinguishers would be available on the active sites. Water that is
used for construction and dust control would be available for fire fighting. Personnel
would be allowed to smoke only in designated areas, and they would be required to